Foldable and storable seat for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A foldable and storable seat for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle seat includes a seat cushion pivotally supported at a rear portion thereof to a vehicle floor by a pair of spaced apart base brackets, the seat cushion including a seat back frame, a seat back pivotally supported to the seat cushion, a seat leg pivotally supported to a forward portion of a bottom of the seat cushion, spring members provided between the seat cushion and the seat back for urging the seat cushion and the seat back in such a direction that the seat cushion and the seat back are drawn toward each other, recliner devices provided between the seat cushion and the seat back for releasably locking the seat back relative to the seat cushion against action of the spring members, cooperating members for causing the seat leg to be releasably supported to the vehicle floor, and a linkage mechanism attached to the seat back frame for causing the recliner devices and/or the seat leg to be actuated synchronously with pivotal movement of the vehicle seat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a foldable and storable seat for a vehicle,and more particularly to a vehicle seat that can be stored by causing aseat cushion of the vehicle seat and a seat back of the vehicle seat tobe folded so as to be put together and then causing the entire vehicleseat to be pivoted rearward, in order that a storage space for cargo isobtained in an interior of a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Hitherto, as an example of such a vehicle seat, there has been known athird seat for a vehicle, which is designed so as to facilitateobtaining of a storage space for cargo in an interior of a vehicle(Japanese Patent Application laid open under Provisionary PublicationNo. Hei. 11-310068). The conventional vehicle seat comprises a seatcushion pivotally supported at a rear section thereof to spaced apartbase brackets that are mounted to a vehicle floor, a seat back pivotallysupported to the seat cushion, and recliner devices for releasablylocking the seat back relative to the seat cushion. In order that thestorage space for cargo is obtained in the interior of the vehicle, theseat back is released from the seat cushion by the recliner devices, theseat back and seat cushion are folded so as to be put together, and theentire vehicle seat is pivoted rearward and then stored in a storagerecess portion that is formed in a floor of the vehicle.

Regarding such a conventional foldable and storable vehicle seat,attempts have been made to provide a seat leg for causing a forwardsection of the seat cushion to be supported relative to the vehiclefloor. The seat leg is pivotally supported to a forward portion of abottom of the seat cushion and provided at a lower portion thereof withstriker locks which are releasably engaged with a striker mounted to thevehicle floor. When the striker locks are releasably engaged with thestriker, the seat cushion is kept substantially horizontal by the seatleg. In this condition, a user can sit on the vehicle seat.

When the vehicle seat is to be stored in order that the storage spacefor cargo is obtained in the interior of the vehicle, in addition to anoperation for causing the striker locks to be actuated so as to releasethe striker therefrom, the user must carry out an operation for causingthe seat leg to be folded so as to lie flat against a bottom surface ofthe seat cushion, and an operation for causing the recliner devices tobe actuated so as to release the seat back from the seat cushion, beforethe user causes the entire vehicle seat to be pivoted rearward. This isconsiderably troublesome. Similarly, when the vehicle seat is to bepivoted to its seating position from its stored position, the user mustcarry out an operation for causing the seat leg to be pivoted to its useposition. This is also considerably troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made with a view to overcoming theforegoing problem.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a foldable andstorable vehicle seat in which synchronously with pivotal movement ofthe vehicle seat toward its stored position or its seating position, aseat back of the vehicle seat and a seat cushion of the vehicle seat canbe operatively folded so as to be put together and/or a seat leg that ispivotally supported to the seat cushion can be pivoted toward itsnon-use or folded position or its use position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a foldable andstorable vehicle seat in which when the vehicle seat is pivoted towardits stored postion, a seat cushion of the vehicle seat and a seat backof the vehicle seat can be smoothly and stably folded so as to be puttogether and/or a seat leg that is pivotally supported to the seatcushion can be smoothly and stably pivoted toward the non-use position.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a foldable and storable seat for a vehicle. The vehicle seatcomprises a seat cushion pivotally supported at a rear portion thereofto a vehicle floor by a pair of spaced apart base brackets, the seatcushion including a seat cushion frame, a seat back pivotally supportedto the seat cushion, a seat leg means pivotally supported to a forwardportion of a bottom of the seat cushion, spring means provided betweenthe seat cushion and the seat back for urging the seat cushion and theseat back in such a direction that the seat cushion and the seat backare drawn toward each other, recliner means provided between the seatcushion and the seat back for releasably locking the seat back relativeto the seat cushion against action of the spring means, cooperatingmeans for causing the seat leg means to be releasably supported to thevehicle floor, and linkage means attached to the seat cushion frame ofthe seat cushion for causing the recliner means and the seat leg meansto be synchronously actuated. The linkage means comprises a base frameattached to the seat cushion frame, a cover frame combined with the baseframe, a substantially triangle-shaped turnable plate having first,second and third lobes, the turnable plate being arranged between thebase frame and the cover frame and turnably supported to the base frameand the cover frame, a driving rod coupled at one end thereof to one ofthe spaced apart base brackets and coupled at the other end thereof to afirst lobe of the substantially triangle-shaped turnable plate, a drivenrod, a first linkage section for causing the recliner means to beactuated synchronously with pivotal movement of the vehicle seat, thefirst linkage section being arranged between the base frame and thecover frame, and a second linkage section for causing the seat leg meansto be pivoted synchronously with the pivotal movement of the vehicleseat, the second linkage section being arranged between the base frameand the cover frame. The first linkage section for causing the reclinermeans to be actuated synchronously with the pivotal movement of thevehicle seat comprises a first swinging bar pivotally supported at asubstantially middle portion thereof to the base frame, the firstswinging bar having first and second ends, the first swinging bar beingcoupled at the first end to the recliner means via traction cable means,and a first connecting bar having third and fourth ends, the firstconnecting bar being coupled at the third end to the second end of thefirst swinging bar and coupled at the fourth end to the second lobe ofthe turnable plate. The second linkage section for causing the seat legmeans to be pivoted synchronously with the pivotal movement of thevehicle seat comprises a second swinging bar having fifth and sixthends, the second swinging bar being pivotally supported at the fifth endto the base frame, and a second connecting bar having seventh and eighthends, the second connecting bar being coupled at the seventh end to asubstantially middle portion of the second swinging bar and coupled atthe eighth end to the third lobe of the turnable plate. The driven rodis coupled at one end thereof to the sixth end of the second swingingbar and coupled at the other end thereof to the seat leg means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a vehicle seat that comprises a seat cushion pivotallysupported at a rear portion thereof to a vehicle floor by a pair ofspaced apart base brackets, the seat cushion including a seat cushionframe, a seat back pivotally supported to the seat cushion, cooperatingmeans for causing a forward portion of the seat cushion to be releasablysupported to the vehicle floor, spring means provided between the seatcushion and the seat back for urging the seat cushion and the seat backin such a direction that the seat cushion and the seat back are drawntoward each other, recliner means arranged between the seat cushion andthe seat back for releasably locking the seat back relative to the seatcushion against action of the spring means, and linkage means attachedto the seat cushion frame of the seat cushion for causing the reclinermeans to be actuated synchronously with pivotal movement of the vehicleseat. The linkage means comprises a base frame attached to the seatcushion frame, a cover frame combined with the base frame, a turnableplate having first and second ends, the turnable plate being arrangedbetween the base frame and the cover frame and turnably supported to thebase frame and the cover frame via a rotating pin, the turnable platebeing mounted around the rotating pin for rotation therewith, a drivingrod coupled at one end thereof to one of the spaced apart base bracketsand coupled at the other end thereof to the first end of the turnableplate, a swinging bar pivotally supported at a substantially middleportion thereof to the base frame, the swinging bar having third andfourth ends, the swinging bar being coupled at the third end to therecliner means via traction cable means, and a connecting bar havingfifth and sixth ends, the connecting bar being coupled at the fifth endto the fourth end of the swinging bar and coupled at the sixth end tothe second end of the turnable plate.

The rotating pin penetrates the cover frame and projects upward from thecover frame. The vehicle seat further includes a damper means forcausing the pivotal movement of the vehicle seat to be decelerated, thedamper means being mounted on a portion of the rotating pin that isprojected upward from the cover frame.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a foldable and storable vehicle seat that comprises a seatcushion pivotally supported at a rear portion thereof to a vehicle floorby a pair of spaced apart base brackets, the seat cushion including aseat cushion frame, a seat back pivotally supported to the seat cushion,a seat leg means pivotally supported to a forward portion of a bottom ofthe seat cushion, cooperating means for causing the seat leg means to bereleasably supported to the vehicle floor, and linkage means attached tothe seat cushion frame of the seat cushion for causing the seat legmeans to be pivoted synchronously with pivotal movement of the vehicleseat. The linkage means comprises a base frame attached to the seatcushion frame, a cover frame combined with the base frame, a turnableplate having first and second ends, the turnable plate being arrangedbetween the base frame and the cover frame and turnably supported to thebase frame and the cover frame, a driving rod coupled at one end thereofto one of the spaced apart base brackets and coupled at the other endthereof to the first end of the turnable plate, a driven rod, a swingingbar having third and fourth ends, the swinging bar being pivotallysupported at the third end to the base frame, and a connecting barhaving fifth and sixth ends, the connecting bar being coupled at thefifth end to a substantially middle portion of the swinging bar andcoupled at the sixth end to the second end of the turnable plate. Thedriven rod is coupled at one end thereof to the fourth end of theswinging bar and coupled at the other end thereof to the seat leg means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of thepresent invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numerals denote the same parts throughout the Figures andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a foldable and storablevehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a seat cushion frame of a seatcushion of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front elevational view of a seat back frame of aseat back of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front elevational view of a striker lock with acover frame thereof being partially cut away;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a recliner device which is ofassistance in explaining an internal structure of the recliner device;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a linkage means with a cover framethereof being partially cut away;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevational view of a sleeve structure towhich a driven rod of the linkage means is coupled;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the seat back frame;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a damper means;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the linkage means with the dampermeans of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 a–14 c are each a schematic view which is of assistance inexplaining pivotal movement of the vehicle seat from its seatingposition toward its stored position;

FIGS. 15 a–17 are each a schematic view which is of assistance inexplaining pivotal movement of the vehicle seat from the stored positiontoward the seating position;

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a linkage means of a vehicle seataccording to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of a linkage means of a vehicle seataccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Vehicle seats according to embodiments of the present invention will bediscussed hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a vehicle seat according to afirst embodiment of the present invention, which is designed as a rearseat for a vehicle. The rear seat generally includes a seat cushion 1, aseat back 2 pivotally supported to the seat cushion 1, a head rest 3movably supported to the seat back 2, first and second recliner devicesfor securing and releasing the seat back 2 relative to the seat cushion1 (only a first recliner device 7 is shown in FIG. 1), a seat leg means4 pivotally supported to a forward portion of a bottom of the seatcushion 1 so as to be movable between a use or extended position and anon-use or folded position, and linkage means 12 for causing therecliner devices to be actuated and/or causing the seat leg means 4 tobe pivoted between the use position and the non-use position. In theillustrated example, the linkage means 12 is designed such that thelinkage means 12 comprises a first linkage section for causing therecliner devices to be actuated (hereinafter referred to as “a reclinerdevice-driving linkage section) and a second linkage section for causingthe seat leg means 4 to be pivoted (hereinafter referred to as “a seatleg means-driving linkage section). The rear seat is constructed suchthat the seat leg means 4 is operatively folded so as to lie flatagainst a bottom surface of the seat cushion 1, the seat cushion 1 andthe seat back 2 are operatively folded so as to be put together, and theentire rear seat is pivoted rearward and then stored within a storagerecess portion R that is formed in a vehicle floor F. More particularly,the entire vehicle seat is adapted to be pivoted between a seatingposition in which a user is allowed to sit on the vehicle seat, and astored position in which the entire vehicle seat is stored in thestorage recess portion R.

Referring to FIG. 2, the seat cushion 1 includes a seat cushion framethat comprises a main frame section 1 a of a substantially U-shape, arear side frame section 1 b interconnecting rear ends of thesubstantially U-shaped main frame section 1 a, and first and secondspaced apart cross beams 1 c, 1 d bridged between both sides of thesubstantially U-shaped main frame section 1 a.

The seat cushion 1 is pivotally supported at a rear side thereof to thevehicle floor F as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, andis adapted to be releasably supported at the forward section of the seatcushion 1 to the vehicle floor F via the seat leg means 4. The seat legmeans 4 comprises a leg body 4 a that is formed by bending a pipe into asubstantially U-shape, a front side plate 4 b (see FIG. 2) attached tothe leg body 4 a and a resinous armor cover 4 e (see FIG. 1) attached tothe front side plate 4 b for concealing the leg body 4 a and the frontside plate 4 b. The leg means 4 is pivotally supported to the firstcross beam 1 c that is adjacent a forward section 1 j of the seatcushion frame, with upper end portions of the substantially U-shaped legbody 4 a being pivotally coupled via supporting pins 4 c, 4 d to bearingbrackets 1 e, 1 f that are mounted to the first cross beam 1 c so as tobe spaced apart from each other along the first cross beam 1 c. In thenon-use or folded position, the leg means 4 may be stored within astorage recess portion (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of theseat cushion 1. The leg means 4 is provided with the resinous armorcover 4 e for concealing the leg body 4 a and the front side plate 4 bas discussed above, so that the visual appearance of the vehicle seat isimproved.

The seat cushion 1 is pivotally supported at the rear side thereof to apair of spaced apart base brackets 6 (only one base bracket 6 is shownin FIG. 1) that are mounted to the vehicle floor F. More particularly,the rear side frame section 1 b of the seat cushion frame is providedwith a pair of spaced apart bearing brackets 1 g (only one bearingbracket 1 g is shown in FIG. 1) that project rearward from the rear sideframe section 1 b. The bearing brackets 1 g of the seat cushion 1 arepivotally coupled to the base brackets 6 via supporting shafts 1 h (onlyone supporting shaft 1 h is shown in FIG. 1), so that the entire vehicleseat including the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 can be pivotedbetween the seating position and the stored position about thesupporting shafts 1 h.

The vehicle seat further includes cooperating means for releasablylocking the seat leg means with respect to the vehicle floor F. Thecooperating means comprises a striker S of a substantially invertedU-shape attached to the vehicle floor F and standing up from the vehiclefloor F, and striker locks 5 a, 5 b mounted to a lower portion of thefront side plate 4 b of the leg means 4 and adapted to be releasablyengaged with the striker S. When the striker locks 5 a, 5 b that areprovided at the leg means 4 are releasably engaged with the striker S,the seat cushion 1 is supported at the forward section thereof to thevehicle floor F by the seat leg means 4. In this condition, the user cansit on the vehicle seat.

The seat cushion 1 has a pair of spaced apart side brackets 1 i (onlyone side bracket 1 i is shown in FIG. 1), which stand up from the rearportion of the seat cushion 1. The seat back 2 is provided with a pairof spaced apart side brackets 2 a, 2 a′ (see FIG. 3). The seat back 2 ispivotally supported relative to the seat cushion 1 via the first andsecond recliner devices.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the first recliner device 7 is interposedbetween one of the side brackets 1 i of the seat cushion 1 and the sidebracket 2 a of the seat back 2, and the second recliner device 7′ isinterposed between the other of the side brackets 1 i of the seatcushion 1 and the side brackets 2 a′ of the seat back 2. The reclinerdevices 7, 7′ serve as means to cause the seat back 2 to be releasablylocked with respect to the seat cushion 1 and to allow an angle of theseat back 2 relative to the seat cushion 1 to be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 3, spiral springs 8, 8 are stretched between the sidebrackets 1 i of the seat cushion 1 and the side brackets 2 a, 2 a′ ofthe seat back 2. The spiral springs 8, 8 always urge the seat cushion 1and the seat back 2 in such a direction that they are drawn toward eachother so as to be put together.

The seat back 2 includes a substantially quadrilateral shaped seat backframe 20. The seat back frame 20 is provided with a vertically extendingbeam 21 bridged between an upper section of the seat back frame 20 and alower section of the seat back frame 20, three spaced apart round rods22 a, 22 b, 22 c extending horizontally, and a supporting round rod 24of a substantially L-shape provided between the uppermost rod 22 a andone of both sides of the seat back frame 20 which is adjacent a centerportion of the vehicle. Furthermore, a bracket plate 23 is arranged inclose proximity to the one of the both sides of the seat back frame 20and secured to the substantially L-shaped supporting rod 24, thevertically extending beam 21, and the lowermost rod 22 c.

An operating lever 9 for releasing the striker locks 5 a, 5 b from thestriker S is provided at the bracket plate 23 of the seat back frame 20.More particularly, the operating lever 9 is formed into a substantiallyL-shape as viewed from the side. The bracket plate 23 is formed with asubstantially rectangle-shaped hole 23 a and provided with a bearingplate 25 attached to a portion of the bracket plate 23 in which thesubstantially rectangle-shaped hole 23 a is formed. The bearing plate 25is formed with a hole 25 a. The operating lever 9 is provided with aprotrusion 9 a. The operating lever 9 is received in the substantiallyrectangle-shaped hole 23 a of the bracket plate 23 and pivotallysupported to the bearing plate 25 with the protrusion 9 a being receivedthrough the hole 25 a and supported to the bearing plate 25 by a pin(not shown). The operating lever 9 is adapted to be handled by the useron the rear side of the seat back 2. The operating lever 9 is coupled tothe striker locks 5 a, 5 b via a first traction cable 30 that is routedthrough a first cable conduit 30 a. The first traction cable 30 consistsof a bundle of fine metal wires. The first cable conduit 30 a is made ofresinous material. The first traction cable 30 is coupled at one endthereof to the protrusion 9 a of the operating lever 9. One end of thefirst cable conduit 30 a is supported to a retaining piece 26 that risesup from the bearing plate 25. The first cable 30 that extends from theoperating lever 9 toward the striker locks 5 a, 5 b is branched into twosections on the way toward the striker locks 5 a, 5 b. The first cableconduit 30 a is also branched into two sections through which thebranched sections of the first cable 30 are routed. As will be discussedin greater detail hereinafter, ends of the branched sections of thefirst cable 30 are coupled to the striker locks 5 a, 5 b. When theoperating lever 9 is operated by the user to thereby draw the firstcable 30, the striker locks 5 a, 5 b are allowed to be released ordisengaged from the striker S.

As shown in FIG. 1, a traction strap 10 for causing the recliner devices7, 7′ to be unlocked is led rearward from the seat back 2. As shown inFIG. 3, the traction strap 10 is coupled at an end thereof to aactuating lever 100 that is turnably supported to the bracket plate 23by a supporting pin 100 a standing up from the bracket plate 23. A coilspring 100 b is stretched between an edge of the bracket plate 23 and asubstantially middle portion of the actuating lever 100. The actuatinglever 100 has first and second ends. The end of the traction strap 10 iscoupled to the first end of the actuating lever 100 by a pin 100 c. Atip end of the pin 100 c is movably received in a circular arc-shapedelongate hole 23 b that is formed in the bracket plate 23. The tractionstrap 10 extends upward from the actuating lever 100 and is led rearwardfrom the seat back frame 20 through a corner plate 27 attached to anupper right-hand corner of the seat back frame 20. More particularly,the corner plate 27 includes a slot 27 a formed therein, a pair ofspaced apart protruding pieces 27 c, 27 c rising up from both edges ofthe slots 27 a, and a strap receiver pin 27 b supported to theprotruding pieces 27 c, 27 c. The traction strap 10 extends over thestrap receiver pin 27 b from the actuating lever 100, passes through theslot 27 a, and is led rearward from the seat back frame 20. The secondend of the actuating lever 100 is coupled to the recliner devices 7, 7′via a second traction cable 15 that is routed through a second cableconduit 15 a. Like the first traction cable 30, the second tractioncable 15 consists of a bundle of fine metal wires. The second cableconduit 15 a is also made of resinous material. The second tractioncable 15 is coupled at one end thereof to the second end of theactuating lever 100. One end of the second cable conduit 15 a issupported to a retaining portion 23 c that is provided on the bracketplate 23. The second cable 15 that extends from the second end of theactuating lever 100 is branched into two sections 15 d, 15 e on the way.The first branched section 15 d of the second cable 15 and the secondbranched section 15 e of the second cable 15 extend toward the firstrecliner device 7 and the second recliner device 7′, respectively, andare coupled to the first recliner device 7 and the second reclinerdevice 7′, respectively, as will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter. Also, the second cable conduit 15 a is branched into twosections 15 b, 15 c through which the branched sections 15 d, 15 e ofthe second cable 15 are routed. Incidentally, the actuating lever 100and the coil spring 100 b are cover by a cover plate 28 from the frontside of the seat back frame 20. When the traction strap 10 is pulled bythe user, the actuating lever 100 is turned about the supporting pin 100a so as to draw the second cable 15, whereby the recliner devices 7, 7′are unlocked.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of the striker locks 5 a, 5 b comprises a baseframe 56, a cover frame 58 combined with the base frame 56 in aface-to-face relation, a locking jaw 50 for catching an upper portion S₁of the substantially inverted-U-shaped striker S, the locking jaw 50being arranged between the base frame 56 and the cover frame 58, and acam jaw 51 for allowing the locking jaw 50 to be kept in astriker-catching condition and allowing the locking jaw 50 to releasethe striker S therefrom, the cam jaw 51 being arranged between the baseframe 56 and the cover frame 58. The locking jaw 50 has a receivingmouth 50 a of a substantially U-shape for receiving the upper portion S₁of the striker S.

The locking jaw 50 is pivotally supported to a supporting pin 54 thatpenetrates the base frame 56 and the cover frame 58. Also, the cam jaw51 is pivotally supported to a supporting pin 55 that penetrates thebase frame 56 and the cover frame 58. The locking jaw 50 has an engagingprotrusion edge 52. The cam jaw 51 has an engaging receiver edge 53. Byengagement of the engaging receiver edge 53 of the cam jaw 51 with theengaging protrusion edge 52 of the locking jaw 50, the locking jaw 50 iskept in the striker-catching condition as shown in FIG. 4. Bydisengagement of the engaging receiver edge 53 of the cam jaw 51 fromthe engaging protrusion edge 52 of the locking jaw 50, the locking jaw50 is allowed to release the striker S therefrom. Stretched between thelocking jaw 50 and the cam jaw 51 is a coil spring 57 a for alwaysurging the locking jaw 50 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4.Furthermore, a coil spring 57 b is stretched between the cam jaw 51 andthe cover frame 58, whereby the engaging receiver edge 53 of the cam jaw51 is always engaged with the engaging protrusion edge 52 of the lockingjaw 50.

An end portion 31 of corresponding one of the branched sections of thefirst traction cable 30 extending from the operating lever 9 (see FIG.3) is coupled to an upper end of the cam jaw 51. One 31 a of thebranched sections of the first cable conduit 30 a through which the oneof the branched sections of the first traction cable 30 is routed has aconduit anchor 31 b provided at an end thereof and is anchored via theconduit anchor 31 b to a retainer piece 59 standing up from the baseframe 56. When the operating lever 9 is operated by the user, thesection 31 of the first traction cable 30 is drawn in such a directionas to be indicated in FIG. 4 by an arrow X, whereby the cam jaw 51 ispivoted about the supporting pin 55 against the action of the coilspring 57 b so as to be disengaged from the locking jaw 50.Simultaneously with the pivotal movement of the cam jaw 51, the lockingjaw 50 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction about the supportingpin 54 due to the action of the coil spring 57 a and is brought to acondition where an opening of the receiving mouth 50 a of the lockingjaw 50 faces downward. In this condition, when the entire vehicle seatis pivoted rearward around the supporting shafts 1 h (FIG. 1), thelocking jaw 50 is disengaged from the striker S.

As an example of each of the recliner devices 7, 7′, there may beemployed a conventional recliner device which is shown in FIG. 5 anddisclosed in Japanese Patent Application laid open under ProvisionaryPublication No. Hei. 8-253063. The recliner device includes asubstantially cup-shaped stationary housing 70 secured to acorresponding side bracket of the seat cushion, a substantiallycup-shaped movable cover 71 secured to a corresponding side bracket ofthe seat back and received in the stationary housing 70 in aface-to-face relation so as to rotatable relative to the stationaryhousing 70, an actuating shaft 72 penetrating through the stationaryhousing 70 and the movable cover 71, and a rotary cam 73 integrallymounted on the actuating shaft 72 for rotation therewith and arrangedbetween the stationary housing 70 and the movable cover 71. As will bediscussed in greater detail hereinafter, each of the branched sectionsof the second traction cable 15 discussed above is coupled to theactuating shaft 72 of corresponding one of the recliner devices 7, 7′.

The stationary housing 70 has three pairs of spaced apart bosses,namely, a first pair of spaced apart bosses 74 a, 74 b, a second pair ofspaced apart bosses 75 a, 75 b and a third pair of spaced apart bosses76 a, 76 b, which are provided on an inner surface of the stationaryhousing 70. The movable cover 71 has gear teeth 77 formed around aninner peripheral surface thereof. A first locking gear 78 a, a secondlocking gear 78 b and a third locking gear 78 c are slidably arrangedbetween the first pair of the bosses 74 a, 74 b, the second pair of thebosses 75 a, 75 b, and the third pair of the bosses 76 a, 76 b,respectively. The first, second and third locking gears 78 a, 78 b, 78 chave toothed portions 78 a′, 78 b′, 78 c′ that are operatively engagedwith the gear teeth 77 of the movable cover 71. Each of the lockinggears is radially movable between a locked position in which the toothedportion of the locking gear is meshed with the gear teeth 77 of themovable cover 71, and an unlocked position in which the toothed portionof the locking gear is disengaged from the gear teeth 77 of the movablecover 71. The rotary cam 73 has three protruding edge regions 73 a, 73b, 73 c. The locking gears are always urged by return springs (notshown) in such a direction as to be disengaged from the gear teeth 77 ofthe movable cover 71, and abutted against the protruding edge regions 73a, 73 b, 73 c of the rotary cam 73 by the return springs.

The housing 70 further has three supporting pins 79 a′, 79 b′, 79 c′standing up from the inner surface thereof. Three springs 79 a, 79 b, 79c are provided between the supporting pins 79 a′, 79 b′, 79 c′ and therotary cam 73, whereby the rotary cam 73 is always urged in such adirection as to cause the locking gears 78 a, 78 b, 78 c to be meshedwith the gear teeth 77 of the movable cover 71 against the actions ofthe unshown return springs. When the second traction cable 15 is drawnby the traction strap 10 (FIG. 3) and the rotary cam 73 integrallymounted on the actuating shaft 72 is rotated in the opposite directionto the direction in which the rotary cam 73 is urged by the springs 79a, 79 b, 79 c, the locking gears 78 a, 78 b, 78 c are disengaged fromthe gear teeth 77 of the movable cover 71 due to the actions of theunshown return springs. Thus, the recliner devices are brought tounlocked conditions. In the conditions, the seat cushion 1 and the beatback 2 are drawn toward each other due to the actions of the spiralsprings 8 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the linkage means 12 is provided between the secondcross beam 1 d and the rear frame section 1 b of the seat cushion frame.The linkage means 12 includes a base frame 13 a and a cover frame 13 bcombined with the base frame 13 a.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the linkage means 12 further includes aturnable plate 12 b arranged between the base frame 13 a and the coverframe 13 b, the seat leg means-driving linkage section arranged betweenthe base frame 13 a and the cover frame 13 b, and the reclinerdevice-driving linkage section arranged between the base frame 13 a andthe cover frame 13 b. The turnable plate 12 b is supported to a rotatingpin 12 a for rotation therewith. The rotating pin 12 a is rotatablysupported to the base frame 13 a and extends vertically so as topenetrate through the cover frame 13 b. In the illustrated example, theturnable plate 12 b is formed into a substantially triangular shape inoutline which has three lobes. However, the shape of the turnable plate12 b is not limited to a triangular shape inasmuch as components of thelinkage means that will be discussed hereinafter can be coupled toperipheral regions of the turnable plate 12 b so as to be spaced apartfrom one another.

The turnable plate 12 b is coupled at a first lobe thereof to one of thebase brackets 6 (see FIG. 1) via a main driving rod 12 c. Moreparticularly, the main driving rod 12 c is coupled at one end thereof tothe first lobe of the turnable plate 12 b by a first pivot 120 a and iscoupled at the other end thereof to the base bracket 6 by a second pivot120 b (see FIG. 1). Thus, when the entire seat vehicle is pivotedforward and rearward about the supporting shafts 1 h, the turnable plate12 b is turned together with the rotating pin 12 a relative to the baseframe 13 a and the cover frame 13 b. Therefore, the main driving rod 12c has a length enough to allow the turnable plate 12 b to be turned by apredetermined stroke.

The seat leg means-driving linkage section of the linkage means 12comprises a first swinging bar 12 d and a first connecting bar 12 e. Therecliner device-driving linkage section of the linkage means 12comprises a second swinging bar 12 f and a second connecting bar 12 g.

The first swinging bar 12 d of the seat leg means-driving linkagesection is located at a position adjacent the front section of the seatcushion 1 and extends laterally. The first swinging bar 12 d is turnablysupported at one end thereof to a supporting pin 121 that is providedbetween the base frame 13 a and the cover frame 13 b so as to verticallyextend. The first swinging bar 12 d has a guide pin 122 provided at aportion thereof which is adjacent the other end of the first swingingbar 12 d, and projecting downward from the first swinging bar 12 d. Theguide pin 122 of the first swinging bar 12 d is movably received in acircular arc-shaped elongate hole 13 c that is formed in the base frame13 a and extends in such a direction as to cross the first swinging bar12 d. Thus, the first swinging bar 12 d is turnable around thesupporting pin 121 while being guided along the elongate hole 13 cthrough the guide pin 122.

The first connecting bar 12 e of the seat leg means-driving section iscoupled to the turnable plate 12 b and the first swinging bar 12 d. Moreparticularly, the first connecting bar 12 e is coupled at one endthereof to a second lobe of the turnable plate 12 b by a supporting pin123 a and coupled at the other end thereof to a middle portion of thefirst swinging bar 12 d by a supporting pin 123 b.

The first swinging rod 12 d is coupled to the seat leg means 4 via adriven rod 12 h. More particularly, the driven rod 12 h is coupled atone end portion thereof to the other end of the first swinging rod 12 dby a pivot 124 and coupled at the other end portion thereof to the seatleg body via a bearing sleeve 125 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the bearing sleeve 125 is mounted to a plate125 a attached to the leg body. The other end portion of the driven rod12 h is inserted through the bearing sleeve 125. The other end portionof the driven rod 12 h has a stopper collar 125 d provided at a tipthereof that projects from the bearing sleeve 125, and a circumferentialflange 125 c. A coil spring 125 b is mounted around a portion of thedriven rod 12 h between the bearing sleeve 125 and the circumferentialflange 125 c of the driven rod 12 h. This bearing sleeve arrangementensures that a jarring effect of the linkage means 12 is positivelyprevented and errors that may be produced on assembling of the linkagemeans 12 to the seat cushion frame are cancelled. Furthermore, thebearing sleeve arrangement is designed so as to ensure that the seat legmeans is returned to the use position before the striker locks 5 a, 5 bare engaged with the striker S when the entire vehicle seat is pivotedforward from the stored position. Therefore, the bearing sleevearrangement can positively absorb an over-stroke of the seat leg meansthat may occur when the entire vehicle seat is pivoted forward, so thatthe linkage means 12 can be prevented from being damaged.

When the entire vehicle seat is pivoted forward from the stored positionor pivoted toward the seating position from the stored position, themain driving rod 12 c is drawn so as to cause the turnable plate 12 b tobe turned in a direction. The turning of the turnable plate 12 b causesthe seat leg means-driving linkage section to be actuated, whereby thedriven rod 12 h is pushed forward, with the result that the seat legmeans 4 is brought to the use position. Conversely, when the entirevehicle seat is pivoted toward the stored position from the seatingposition, the main driving rod 12 c is pushed so as to cause theturnable plate 12 b to be turned in a reverse direction. The turning ofthe turnable plate 12 b in the reverse direction causes the seat legmeans-driving linkage section to be actuated, whereby the driven rod 12h is pulled rearward, with the result that the seat leg means 4 isbrought to the non-use position in which the seat leg means 4 is foldedso as to lie flat against the bottom surface of the seat cushion 1.Thus, synchronously with pivotal movement of the vehicle seat, the seatleg means can be positively brought to the use position or the non-useposition.

Again referring to FIG. 6, the second swinging bar 12 f of the reclinerdevice-driving section is obliquely arranged and extends toward arearward portion of the base frame 13 a from a portion of the base frame13 a that is adjacent a forward portion of the base frame 13 a. Thesecond swinging bar 12 f is pivotally supported at a substantiallymiddle portion thereof to a supporting pin 130 that is provided betweenthe base frame 13 a and the cover frame 13 b and extends vertically. Thesecond swinging bar 12 f has a second guide pin 126 provided at aportion thereof that is adjacent one end of the second swinging bar 12f. The second guide pin 126 projects upward from the second swinging bar12 f. The cover frame 13 b is formed with a second circular arc-shapedelongate hole 13 d. The second guide pin 126 of the second swinging bar12 f is movably received in the second circular arc-shaped elongate hole13 d of the cover frame 126. Thus, the second swinging bar 12 f can beturned about the supporting pin 130 while being guided along the secondcircular arc-shaped elongate hole 13 d through the second guide pin 126.

The second connecting bar 12 g of the recliner device-driving linkagesection is coupled to the turnable plate 12 b and the second swingingbar 12 f. More particularly, the second connecting bar 12 g is coupledat one end thereof to a third lobe of the turnable plate 12 b via asupporting pin 127 a and coupled at the other end thereof to the otherend of the second swinging bar 12 f via a supporting pin 127 b.

The second swinging bar 12 f is coupled via a third traction cable 200to the end of the actuating lever 100 to which the second cable 15 iscoupled as shown in FIG. 3. More particularly, one end of the thirdcable 200 is coupled to the one end of the second swinging bar 12 f andthe other end of the third cable 200 is coupled to the end of theactuating lever 100 to which the second cable 15 is coupled as shown inFIG. 3. Like the first and second cables, the third cable 200 consistsof a bundle of fine metal wires and routed through a third cable conduit200 a that is made of resinous material. One end of the third cableconduit 200 a is fixed to a retainer 128 provided on an inner surface ofthe cover frame 13 b. The other end of the third cable conduit 200 a isfixed to the bracket plate 23 shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the second swingingbar 12 f is coupled to the recliner devices through the actuating lever100 and the second and third cables 15, 200.

As the entire vehicle seat is pivoted rearward, the second swinging bar12 f and the second connecting bar 12 g of the recliner device-drivinglinkage section are adapted to reciprocate whereas the first swingingbar 12 d and the first connecting bar 12 e of the seat leg means-drivinglinkage section are driven by a one-way stroke. Such reciprocatingmotion of the bars 12 f, 12 g is realized because the first swinging bar12 d is longer than the second swinging bar 12 f and pivotally supportedat the end thereof to the supporting pin 121, whereas the secondswinging bar 12 f is relatively short and is pivotally supported at thesubstantially middle portion thereof to the supporting pin 130.

Again referring to FIG. 3 and referring now to FIG. 8, the branchedsections 15 d, 15 e of the second cable 15 extending from the actuatinglever 100 are coupled to the recliner devices (only the branched section15 e of the second cable 15 and only the recliner device 7′ are shown inFIG. 8). More particularly, end portions of the branched sections 15 d,15 e of the second cable 15 that are led out of the branched sections 15b, 15 c of the second cable conduit 15 a are coupled to projectingpieces 16 that are mounted on the actuating shafts 72 of the reclinerdevices 7, 7′ (only the branched section 15 c of the second cableconduit 15 a and only the projecting piece 16 mounted on the actuatingshaft 72 of the recliner device 7′ are shown in FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 8, a second operating lever 17 is pivotally supportedto the side bracket 2 a′ of the seat back 2 along which the branchedsection 15 e of the second cable 15 extends. The branched section 15 cof the second cable conduit 15 a through which the branched section 15 eof the second cable 15 is routed is retained at an end of the branchedsection 15 c to the second operating lever 17. Though not shown, thebranched section 15 b of the second cable conduit 15 a is fixed at anend thereof to the side bracket 2 a of the seat back 2.

The second operating lever 17 is handled mainly in a case where theoccupant having sat on the vehicle seat intends to adjust an angle ofthe seat back 2 relative to the seat cushion 1. The second operatinglever 17 has a substantially L-shaped body which comprises a verticallyextending portion and a horizontally extending portion. The secondoperating lever 17 is pivotally supported at the horizontally extendingportion thereof to the side bracket 2 a′ of the seat back 2 by asupporting pin 2 b. A return coil spring 17 b is mounted around thesupporting pin 2 b and retained at an end thereof to an upper portion ofthe horizontally extending portion of the second operating lever 17,whereby the second operating lever 17 is always urged in a clockwisedirection by the return coil spring 17 b in FIG. 8. Furthermore, astopper pin 2 c for restricting a return position of the secondoperating lever 17 is provided at the side bracket 2 a′ of the seat back2. The second operating lever 17 is abutted at a lower edge of thevertically extending portion against the stopper pin 2 c. Attached to alower end of the vertically extending portion of the second operatinglever 17 is a second traction strap 17 a which is to be handled by theoccupant. A fourth traction cable 400 that is routed through a fourthcable conduit 400 a is coupled at one end thereof to the stopper pin 2c. As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth traction cable 400 that is routedthrough the fourth cable conduit 400 a extends toward the first branchedsection 15 b of the second traction cable 15 from the stopper pin 2 c,and joined to the first branched section 15 b of the second tractioncable 15 though a joint 400 b that is secured to the side bracket 2 a ofthe seat back frame. The fourth cable conduit 400 a is fixed at one endthereof to the second operating lever 17 as shown in FIG. 8. The fourthtraction cable 400 is constructed in the same manner as the first andsecond traction cables are done. Also, the fourth cable conduit 400 a isformed of resinous material.

Again referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the operation of the recliner devices7, 7′ that is carried out by pulling the second traction strap 17 a willbe discussed hereinafter. When the occupant pulls the traction strap 17a against the action of the return coil spring 17 b in order to adjustthe angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat cushion 1, the secondoperating lever 17 is pivoted while causing the actuating shaft 72 ofthe second recliner device 7′ to be rotated. Simultaneously with thepivotal movement of the second operating lever 17, the fourth cableconduit 400 a and the second cable conduit section 15 c are movedrelative to the fourth cable 400 and the cable section 15 e, whereby thesection 15 d of the second traction cable 15 is pulled and the actuatingshafts 72 of the first recliner device 7 is also rotated. When theactuating shaft 72 of the recliner devices 7, 7′ are rotated, the rotarycams 73 of the recliner devices 7, 7′ are simultaneously rotated so asto allow the locking gears 78 a–78 c of the recliner devices 7 to bedisengaged from the toothed surfaces 77 of the movable covers 71 mountedon the side brackets 2 a, 2 a′ of the seat back 2. As a result, the seatback 2 is brought to a condition where the seat back 2 is allowed to bepivoted relative to the seat cushion 1. In this condition, the occupantcan adjust the angle of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. Whenthe second traction strap 17 is released from the occupant, the lockinggears 78 a–78 c of the recliner devices 7, 7′ are returned to theiroriginal positions due to the actions of the return coil springs 79 a–79c and meshed with the toothed surfaces 77 of the movable covers 71 ofthe recliner devices 7. Thus, the seat back 2 is again locked withrespect to the seat cushion 1.

When the entire vehicle seat is pivoted toward the stored position fromthe seating position, the linkage means 12 is synchronously actuated,whereby the recliner devices 7, 7′ are unlocked and the seat back 2 isreleased from the seat cushion 1. As soon as the seat back 2 is releasedfrom the seat cushion 1, the spiral springs 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3) arecontracted so as to be further wound up, with the result that the seatcushion 1 and the seat back 2 are rapidly moved toward each other andput together. In order to prevent such a rapid movement of the seatcushion 1 and the seat back 2 toward each other, a damper means 18 (seeFIG. 1) for decelerating the movement of the seat cushion 1 and the seatback 2 toward each other may be employed. The damper means 18 alsoserves as means to decelerate the pivotal movement of the entire vehicleseat.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the damper means 18 is supported to anupper end portion of the rotating pin 12 a supporting the turnable plate12 b of the linkage means 12. The upper end portion of the rotating pin12 a penetrates through the cover frame 13 b of the linkage means 12 andprojects upward. The damper means 18 comprises a substantiallycap-shaped body 18 a having a substantially dome-shaped section 180 anda flange section 181 projecting laterally from the substantiallydome-shaped section 180, a bottom plate 18 b mounted in a bottom portionof the substantially dome-shaped section 180, and a rotary element 18 c.

The upper end portion of the rotating pin 12 a supporting the turnableplate 12 b of the linkage means 12 is knurled. The rotary element 18 ccomprises a cylindrical boss section 185 for receiving the knurled upperend portion of the rotating pin 12 a, a circumferential flange section186 projecting radially from a substantially middle portion of the bosssection 185, and a plurality of first ring-shaped fins 187 rising upfrom an upper surface of the flange section 186 and coaxial with theboss section 185, and a second ring-shaped fin 188 projecting downwardfrom a lower surface of the flange section 186 and coaxial with the bosssection 185. An inner surface of the substantially dome-shaped section180 is formed with a substantially cylindrical-shaped recess portion 180a for receiving the boss section 185 of the rotary element 18 c, and aplurality of ring-shaped grooves 183 that correspond in number to thefirst ring-shaped fins 187. The bottom plate 18 b has a centralthrough-hole 180 b through which the boss section 185 of the rotaryelement 18 c is inserted, and a ring-shaped groove 184 formed in anupper surface of the bottom plate 18 b. The rotary element 18 c iscombined with the dome-shaped section 180 and the bottom plate 18 b soas to be rotatable relative to the dome-shaped section 180 and thebottom plate 18 b, with the boss section 185 penetrating thethrough-hole 180 b of the bottom plate 18 b and being received in therecess portion 180 a of the dome-shaped section 180, with the first fins187 being received in the grooves 183 of the dome-shaped section 180,and with the second fin 188 being received in the groove 184 of thebottom plate 18 b. The flange section 181 of the substantiallycap-shaped body 18 a has a circular arc-shaped elongate groove 189formed in a bottom surface thereof. A stopper pin 13 e is attached tothe cover frame 13 b of the linkage means 12 so as to rise up from theupper surface of the cover frame 13 b. The groove 189 of the flangesection 181 of the substantially cap-shaped body 18 a receives thestopper pin 13 e of the cover frame 13 b. The substantially cap-shapedbody 18 a and the bottom plate 18 b are formed of resin material. Therotary element 18 c is formed of lubricous resin material. Any suitableviscous oil is applied onto the inner surface of the dome-shaped section180, the through-hole 180 b and the groove 184 of the bottom plate 18 b.Therefore, when the rotary element 18 c is rotated with the rotating pin12 a, the speed of the rotation of the rotary element 18 c is reduceddue to the resistance of the viscous oil, resulting in the speed of therotation of the rotating pin 12 a being also reduced.

The damper means 18 is designed such that the rotary element 18 c beginsto be rotated with a time-lag behind the beginning of the rotation ofthe rotating pin 12 a. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 10, thegroove 189 of the flange section 181 of the damper means 18 is formedinto a substantially circular arc-shape so as to be coaxial with therotating shaft 12 a. When the rotating pin 12 a starts to be rotated,the entire damper means 18 is turned while being guided by the stopperpin 13 e. When an end of the groove 189 of the flange section 181 isabutted against the stopper pin 13 e of the cover frame 13 b of thelinkage means 12 during the rotation of the entire damper means 18, therotary element 18 c only starts to be rotated relative to thesubstantially cap-shaped body 18 a and the bottom plate 18 b.

The vehicle seat constructed as discussed above is adapted to bemanually pivoted rearward and forward about the supporting shafts 1 h bythe user. In order to facilitate the rearward and forward pivotalmovement of the vehicle seat by the user, the vehicle seat according tothe present invention further includes a pull pocket 19 attached to anapproximately middle portion of a front section 1 j of the seat cushionframe as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the user can easily cause the entirevehicle seat to be pivoted rearward or forward, while inserting a user'shand into the pull pocket 19 and lifting the vehicle seat up.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 a–14 c, the pivotal movement of the vehicleseat toward the stored position from the seating position will bediscussed in detail hereinafter. First of all, the user pushes down thehead rest 3 relative to the seat back 2 until the head rest 3 is abuttedagainst an upper surface of the seat back 2. Then, the user pulls thefirst operating lever 9 to thereby cause the striker locks 5 a, 5 b tobe disengaged from the striker S. Furthermore, the user causes thevehicle seat to be slightly pivoted rearward so as to cause the strikerlocks 5 a, 5 b to be separated from the striker S as shown in FIG. 11 a,while inserting the user's hand into the pull pocket 19 and lifting thevehicle seat up.

As the vehicle seat is pivoted rearward, the linkage means 12 begins tobe actuated. More particularly, the turnable plate 12 b of the linkagemeans 12 is initially pushed in such a direction as to be indicated inFIG. 11 b by an arrow A by the main driving rod 12 c that is coupled tothe base bracket 6. Then, the turnable plate 12 b is turned with therotating pin 12 a in such a direction as to be indicated in FIG. 11 b byan arrow B. The turning of the turnable plate 12 b in the direction Bcauses the first connecting rod 12 e coupled to the turnable plate 12 bto be moved in such a direction as to be indicated in FIG. 11 b by anarrow C. Simultaneously with such a movement of the first connecting rod12 e, the first swinging bar 12 d begins to be swung around thesupporting pin 121 in such a direction as to be indicated in FIG. 11 bby an arrow D, while being guided along the circular arc-shaped elongatehole 13 c of the base frame 12 b through the guide pin 122. The drivenrod 12 h is coupled to the first swinging bar 12 d as discussed above,so that such a movement of the first swinging bar 12 d draws the drivenrod 12 h in such a direction as to be indicated in FIG. 11 b by an arrowE, whereby the seat leg means 4 coupled to the driven rod 12 h begins tobe folded toward the bottom surface of the seat cushion.

As the turnable plate 12 b is turned in the direction B, the secondconnecting bar 12 g coupled to the turnable plate 12 b pushes the secondswinging bar 12 f in such a direction as to be indicated in FIG. 11 b byan arrow F. When the second swinging bar 12 f is pushed in the directionF by the second connecting bar 12 g, the second swinging bar 12 g isswung around the supporting pin 130 in such a direction as to beindicated in FIG. 11 b by an arrow G, whereby the third traction cable200 that is coupled to the second swinging bar 12 g is drawn in such adirection as to be indicated in FIG. 11 b by an arrow H. When the thirdtraction cable 200 is drawn, the actuating lever 100 (see FIG. 3) towhich the third traction cable 200 is coupled is pulled downward,whereby the actuating shafts 72 of the recliner devices 7, 7′ (see FIG.3) are rotated and the recliner devices are brought to the unlockedpositions. At the initial actuation stage of the linkage means 12, theentire damper means 18 is rotated by the rotating pin 12 a of thelinkage means 12 but the end of the circular arc-shaped groove 189 ofthe damper means 18 is not yet abutted against the stopper pin 13 e ofthe cover frame 13 b of the linkage means 12 as shown in FIG. 11 c.Therefore, at this time, the damper means 18 does not performdeceleration function yet.

When the recliner devices 7, 7′ are unlocked, the spiral springs 8 areelastically contracted so as to be further wound up, whereby the seatcushion 1 is drawn toward the seat back 2 as shown in FIG. 12 a. As theseat cushion 1 is drawn toward the seat back 2, the turnable plate 12 bis further pushed by the main driving rod 12 h and further turned in thedirection B (FIG. 11 b) as shown in FIG. 12 b, whereby the driven rod 12h coupled to the seat leg means 4 is further drawn in the direction E(FIG. 11 b) by the first swinging bar 12 d. As a result, the seat legmeans 4 is further folded. As the seat cushion 1 is further drawn towardthe seat back 2 by the spiral springs 8, the end of the circulararc-shaped groove 189 of the damper means 18 is abutted against thestopper pin 13 c as shown in FIG. 12 c. Thus, the damper means 18 beginsto perform the deceleration function.

When the seat cushion 1 is still further drawn toward the seat back 2 bythe spiral springs 8 as shown in FIG. 13 a, the turnable plate 12 b isfurther turned and the second swinging bar 12 f is drawn by the secondconnecting bar 12 g in such a direction as to be indicated in FIG. 13 bby an arrow I. As a result, a tension that has been applied to the thirdtraction cable 200 till now is released, whereby the recliner devices 7,7′ are actuated so as to be locked and the seat cushion and seat backare kept put together. During this drawing of the seat cushion 1 towardthe seat back 2, the damper means has been actuated as shown in FIG. 13c, so that the movement of the seat cushion toward the seat back isdecelerated and the pivotal movement of the vehicle seat toward thestored position is also decelerated. Thus, the vehicle seat can besmoothly and stably pivoted toward the stored position.

In the condition where the seat cushion 1 and the seat back are puttogether by the recliner devices, the user causes the entire seat to befurther pivoted rearward while still inserting the user's hand into thepull pocket, whereby the entire seat is stored within the storage recessportion R of the vehicle floor F as shown in FIG. 14 a. At this time,the third traction cable 200 is not pulled as shown in FIG. 14 b, therecliner devices 7, 7′ remain locked and the damper means 18 remainsactuated as shown in FIG. 14 c, so that the entire seat can be stablystored within the recess portion R of the vehicle floor F.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 a to 17, the pivotal movement of the vehicleseat toward the seating position from the stored position will bediscussed in detail hereinafter. When the vehicle seat is to be pivotedtoward the seating position from the stored position, the user insertsthe user's hand into the pull pocket 19 and then lifts the entirevehicle seat up from the storage recess portion R as shown in FIG. 15 a.As the entire vehicle seat is lifted up, the linkage means 12 begins tobe actuated so as to be returned to its original state as shown in FIG.15 b, whereby the damper means 18 begins to be returned to its originalstate and the seat leg means 4 also begins to be pivoted toward the useposition from the non-use position.

During the pivotal movement of the vehicle seat toward the seatingposition, the second swinging bar 12 f is swung about the supporting pin130 while drawing the third traction cable 200, whereby the reclinerdevices 7, 7′ are unlocked. At this time, even if the recliner devices7, 7′ are unlocked, the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 remain puttogether due to the actions of the spiral springs 8, so that the vehicleseat can be stably pivoted forward from the stored position.

As the vehicle seat is further pivoted toward the seating position asshown in FIG. 16 a, the main driving rod 12 c draws the turnable plate12 b and the driven rod 12 h is moved so as to push the seat leg means4, whereby the seat leg means 4 is further pivoted and brought to theuse position. During the pivotal movement of the vehicle seat, an end ofthe substantially circular arc-shaped elongate groove 189 of the dampermeans 18 is abutted against the stopper pin 13 e as shown in FIG. 16 b,so that the damper means 18 starts to perform the deceleration function.

Further pivotal movement of the vehicle seat is carried out in thecondition where the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 remain folded andput together due to the actions of the spiral springs 8, until thestriker locks 5 a, 5 b are engaged with the striker S. By engagement ofthe striker locks 5 a, 5 b with the striker S, the vehicle seat isbrought to the seating position. After the striker locks 5 a, 5 b areengaged with the striker S as shown in FIG. 17, the user pulls the strap10, to thereby cause the recliner devices 7, 7′ to be unlocked. In thecondition where the recliner devices 7, 7′ are unlocked, the userfurther pulls the traction strap 10 and can cause the seat back 2 to bepivoted so as to stand up from the seat cushion 1 that has beensupported to the vehicle floor F through the seat leg means 4. Thus, theseat back 2 is brought to a condition where the user can sit on thevehicle seat.

As discussed above, in the first embodiment according to the presentinvention, by a single motion of the vehicle seat, namely, by causingthe vehicle seat to be pivoted forward or rearward, it is possible tocause the seat cushion and the seat back to be folded together, causethe seat leg means 4 to be pivoted toward the non-use position or theuse position and cause the recliner devices 7, 7′ to be locked orunlocked. Therefore, it is possible to cause the entire vehicle seat tobe easily and quickly brought to the stored condition or the usablecondition.

Referring to FIG. 18, there is illustrated a linkage means 12′ of avehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention.This embodiment is substantially similar to that according to the firstembodiment except that the linkage means 12′ is employed in lieu of thelinkage means 12 of the first embodiment. The linkage means 12′ isdifferent from the linkage means 12 of the first embodiment in that itis not provided with the seat leg means-driving section and designed soas to cause the recliner devices only to be actuated, and a turnableplate 12 b′ is different in shape from the turnable plate 12 b of thelinkage means 12 according to the first embodiment. Unlike the turnableplate 12 b, the turnable plate 12 b′ is formed into a substantiallyL-shape. The turnable plate 12 b′ is coupled at one end thereof to themain driving rod 12 c and coupled at the other end thereof to the end ofthe connecting bar 12 g. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, parts which aresimilar to those shown in FIG. 10 are denoted with like referencenumerals and the description of them will not be repeated. The linkagemeans 12′ is actuated in the same manner as the recliner device-drivingsection of the linkage means 12 according to the first embodiment isdone. Therefore, the description of the actuation of the linkage means12′ will not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 19, there is illustrated a linkage means 12″ of avehicle seat according to a third embodiment of the present invention.This embodiment is substantially similar to that according to the firstembodiment except that the linkage means 12″ is employed in lieu of thelinkage means 12 of the first embodiment. The linkage means 12″ isdifferent from the linkage means 12 of the first embodiment in that itis not provided with the recliner device-driving section and designed soas to cause the seat leg means only to be actuated, and a turnable plate12 b″ is different in shape from the turnable plate 12 b of the linkagemeans 12 according to the first embodiment. Unlike the turnable plate 12b, the turnable plate 12 b″ is formed into a substantially L-shape. Theturnable plate 12 b″ is coupled at one end thereof to the main drivingrod 12 c and coupled at the other end thereof to the end of theconnecting bar 12 e. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, parts which aresimilar to those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted with like referencenumerals and the description of them will not be repeated. The linkagemeans 12″ is actuated in the same manner as the seat leg means-drivingsection of the linkage means 12 according to the first embodiment isdone. Therefore, the description of the actuation of the linkage means12″ will not be repeated.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described, or portions thereof, but it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

1. A foldable and storable seat for a vehicle, comprising: a seatcushion pivotally supported at a rear portion thereof to a vehicle floorby a pair of spaced apart base brackets; said seat cushion including aseat cushion frame; a seat back pivotally supported to said seatcushion; a seat leg means pivotally supported to a forward portion of abottom of said seat cushion; spring means provided between said seatcushion and said seat back for urging said seat cushion and said seatback in such a direction that said seat cushion and said seat back aredrawn toward each other; recliner means provided between said seatcushion and said seat back for releasably locking said seat backrelative to said seat cushion against action of said spring means;cooperating means for causing said seat leg means to be releasablysupported to said vehicle floor; and linkage means attached to said seatcushion frame of said seat cushion for causing said recliner means andsaid seat leg means to be synchronously actuated; said linkage meanscomprising a base frame attached to said seat cushion frame, a coverframe combined with said base frame, a substantially triangle-shapedturnable plate having first, second and third lobes, said turnable platebeing arranged between said base frame and said cover frame and turnablysupported to said base frame and said cover frame, a driving rod coupledat one end thereof to one of said spaced apart base brackets and coupledat the other end thereof to a first lobe of said substantiallytriangle-shaped turnable plate, a driven rod, a first linkage sectionfor causing said recliner means to be actuated synchronously withpivotal movement of said vehicle seat, said first linkage section beingarranged between said base frame and said cover frame, and a secondlinkage section for causing said seat leg means to be pivotedsynchronously with the pivotal movement of said vehicle seat, saidsecond linkage section being arranged between said base frame and saidcover frame; said first linkage section for causing said recliner meansto be actuated synchronously with the pivotal movement of said vehicleseat comprising: a first swinging bar pivotally supported at asubstantially middle portion thereof to said base frame; said firstswinging bar having first and second ends; said first swinging bar beingcoupled at said first end to said recliner means via traction cablemeans; and a first connecting bar having third and fourth ends; saidfirst connecting bar being coupled at said third end to said second endof said first swinging bar and coupled at said fourth end to said secondlobe of said turnable plate; said second linkage section for causingsaid seat leg means to be pivoted synchronously with the pivotalmovement of said vehicle seat comprising: a second swinging bar havingfifth and sixth ends; said second swinging bar being pivotally supportedat said fifth end to said base frame; and a second connecting bar havingseventh and eighth ends; said second connecting bar being coupled atsaid seventh end to a substantially middle portion of said secondswinging bar and coupled at said eighth end to said third lobe of saidturnable plate; and said driven rod being coupled at one end thereof tosaid sixth end of said second swinging bar and coupled at the other endthereof to said seat leg means.
 2. A foldable and storable seat for avehicle, comprising: a seat cushion pivotally supported at a rearportion thereof to a vehicle floor by a pair of spaced apart basebrackets; said seat cushion including a seat cushion frame; a seat backpivotally supported to said seat cushion; cooperating means for causinga forward portion of said seat cushion to be releasably supported tosaid vehicle floor; spring means provided between said seat cushion andsaid seat back for urging said seat cushion and said seat back in such adirection that said seat cushion and said seat back are drawn towardeach other; recliner means arranged between said seat cushion and saidseat back for releasably locking said seat back relative to said seatcushion against action of said spring means; and linkage means attachedto said seat cushion frame of said seat cushion for causing saidrecliner means to be actuated synchronously with pivotal movement ofsaid vehicle seat; said linkage means comprising: a base frame attachedto said seat cushion frame; a cover frame combined with said base frame;a turnable plate having first and second ends; said turnable plate beingarranged between said base frame and said cover frame and turnablysupported to said base frame and said cover frame via a rotating pin;said turnable plate being mounted around said rotating pin for rotationtherewith; a driving rod coupled at one end thereof to one of saidspaced apart base brackets and coupled at the other end thereof to saidfirst end of said turnable plate; a swinging bar pivotally supported ata substantially middle portion thereof to said base frame; said swingingbar having third and fourth ends; said swinging bar being coupled atsaid third end to said recliner means via traction cable means; and aconnecting bar having fifth and sixth ends; said connecting bar beingcoupled at said fifth end to said fourth end of said swinging bar andcoupled at said sixth end to said second end of said turnable plate. 3.A foldable and storable seat for a vehicle according to claim 2, whereinsaid rotating pin penetrates said cover frame and projects upward fromsaid cover frame and said vehicle seat further includes a damper meansfor causing the pivotal movement of said vehicle seat to be decelerated,said damper means mounted on a portion of said rotating pin that isprojected upward from said cover frame.
 4. A foldable and storable seatfor a vehicle, comprising: a seat cushion pivotally supported at a rearportion thereof to a vehicle floor by a pair of spaced apart basebrackets; said seat cushion including a seat cushion frame; a seat backpivotally supported to said seat cushion; a seat leg means pivotallysupported to a forward portion of a bottom of said seat cushion;cooperating means for causing said seat leg means to be releasablysupported to said vehicle floor; and linkage means attached to said seatcushion frame of said seat cushion for causing said seat leg means to bepivoted synchronously with pivotal movement of said vehicle seat; saidlinkage means comprising: a base frame attached to said seat cushionframe; a cover frame combined with said base frame; a turnable platehaving first and second ends; said turnable plate being arranged betweensaid base frame and said cover frame and turnably supported to said baseframe and said cover frame; a driving rod coupled at one end thereof toone of said spaced apart base brackets and coupled at the other endthereof to said first end of said turnable plate; a driven rod; aswinging bar having third and fourth ends; said swinging bar beingpivotally supported at said third end to said base frame; and aconnecting bar having fifth and sixth ends; said connecting bar beingcoupled at said fifth end to a substantially middle portion of saidswinging bar and coupled at said sixth end to said second end of saidturnable plate; said driven rod being coupled at one end thereof to saidfourth end of aid swinging bar and coupled at the other end thereof tosaid seat leg means.